Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Journey (5)
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[Sub Quest Complete]
[Reward: Randomly acquire one of the target's traits]
The system window looked like it was rolling dice.
I held my breath and stroked Aruru’s head.
My little cutie.
I can trust you, right? This is your chance to be a goddess of luck!
The Hero candidates were all designed to be protagonists.
Meaning, they possessed several high-level traits.
Minimum A-Rank. Maximum Ex-Rank.
Anything would be a gain, but if possible, I wanted an Ex-Rank…
[Blessing of the Spirits]
[A-Rank - Mana recovery rate increased by 200% & efficiency of all spirit skills increased by 200%]
[S-Rank - Mana recovery rate increased by 300% & efficiency of all spirit skills increased by 300%]
[Ex-Rank - Mana recovery rate increased by 500% & efficiency of all spirit skills increased by 500%]
A total jackpot…
An Ex-Rank trait popped right up!
To be honest, I was almost certain of it.
The bond between an owner and their companion.
Our mutual affection manifested in the best possible result.
Perhaps having felt my touch long enough…
Aruru looked up, as if asking to be put down.
“I’m not done yet.”
“Ah, you’ve fallen for me that hard? You’re really something…”
How could she not fall for me after giving me an Ex-Rank trait?
As she nuzzled her face against mine, I calmly began my analysis.
It was Ex-Rank, but with limitations.
Since I was A-Rank, a 200% boost would apply, and since Aruru was S-Rank, she got a 300% boost…
My little cutie.
You’ve been using this amazing trait all by yourself?
A mana recovery rate of a whopping 300%.
No wonder she used mana so freely.
Well, she’d need something like this to summon a Spirit King.
I could see a 200% effect immediately.
Once I reached S-Rank and surpassed its limits, it would increase to 500%.
Unless I was spamming ultimate skills, my mana would constantly regenerate.
That alone was incredible.
The increased efficiency of all spirit skills was also significant.
It would literally apply to ‘all’ of them.
Not only would the experience for my Spirit Affinity skill fill up faster…
I could expect the spirits’ growth and the power of my Spirit Swordsmanship to increase as well.
Aah, this is so good! It’s absolutely thrilling!
My affection for Aruru wasn’t for nothing.
All the love and care I gave her came right back to me.
“Aruru.”
“Yes?”
“Stay by my side, always.”
“Ugh, confessing so openly is embarrassing…”
She nodded slightly, looking shy.
We smiled at each other before heading back inside.
The night grew deeper.
The six fox beastkin siblings fell asleep one by one.
“They’re finally out cold.”
“We can each take two.”
“What if they don’t like it?”
“We’ve gotten pretty close. Let’s just go for it.”
As if they had been waiting for this moment.
The two girls unabashedly revealed their desires.
Taking advantage of the cramped space, they slyly pulled the little ones into an embrace.
I wanted to join in, but my own sense of dignity held me back.
“…”
It’s natural for girls to do that, but it’s a bit different for me, isn’t it?
In the end, I quietly closed my eyes in a corner.
Though a part of me was disappointed, I had gained Aruru’s trait, so I would be satisfied with that.
* * *
The next morning.
The first thing I saw when I woke up made me doubt my eyes.
“—!”
Aruru was clinging to me…
It seemed she had rolled over in her sleep.
If it were just that, it would have been a normal occurrence, nothing to fuss over.
However, with the twin girls next to Aruru, it was a different story.
What’s this? A buy-one-get-two-free deal?
The youngest of the six siblings. The fifth and sixth were quite young.
Ten? Eleven?
In any case, they could very well see their big sister as a parent.
They must have instinctively gathered, as if missing a mother’s embrace.
The fox beastkin, curled up together in a ball…
The feeling was beyond what could be described as ‘healing.’
Aah, I could die happy!
Just as I was savoring this moment of extreme bliss, Aruru slowly sat up.
“Good morning.”
She gave a faint smile.
Then she looked at her younger siblings pressed against her on both sides with a warm gaze.
As if she couldn’t contain her affection.
The beastkin’s unique way of showing love began.
“My siblings are cute, aren’t they?”
“It’s a bit cliché, but they’re like angels…”
“Mhm, I think so too.”
If they had wings, they’d be no different from cherubs.
Their cuteness was so overwhelming it was almost mystical.
“To be honest, I want to take care of them until they grow up. But…”
Aruru was a Hero candidate. A top-tier one at that.
Letting her abilities go to waste would be a loss for all of humanity.
“I think defeating the Demon King’s Army comes first.”
That’s the only way to stop the tragedy, she added.
It was a decision made by a girl who had lost her parents to the ruthless invasion of the Demon King’s Army.
A solemn feeling washed over me.
The Demon King’s Army, those sons of bitches…
If they had any conscience, they would have spared the beastkin.
How could they find it in themselves to torment these cuties?
Until now, I had simply thought of them as bad guys, but my perspective had changed.
I would approach this more seriously.
At first, I focused on survival, but now I’d grown considerably stronger.
I needed to hurry up and reach S-Rank to take control of the academy.
I would do my best to raise the skills of the Hero candidates.
There was quite a lot I could do, like triggering their awakening events early.
Or helping them obtain their ultimate equipment ahead of time.
Well, for now, I should enjoy this trip.
After this final rest, let’s run full-speed until everything is resolved.
I made my resolution.
I had no grand purpose.
I simply wished for a world where children could play in peace.
* * *
Nom, nom, nom.
The six fox beastkin siblings ate together.
Why is this so heartwarming?
Just watching Aruru eat used to make me feel full, but now I felt like I was about to burst.
It seemed to be the same for Ceria and the Princess.
They gave their own portions to the little ones.
*Why aren’t you eating?*
*Are humans different?*
They expressed their confusion with such looks, but their appetite soon took over and they happily accepted the food.
I gave some sausages to the twin girls.
The way their mouths moved as they chewed was so cute it left me speechless.
What should I do? This is so much fun!
Aruru, the head of the household, also joined in.
She ate only thirty percent of her usual amount, sharing the rest with her siblings.
Aah, her affection has conquered her appetite!
It was the heart of a mother wanting to feed her children just one more bite.
She was the girl who emptied my wallet, but in this moment, she was cooler than anyone.
“You all wait outside until I call for you.”
“—??”
After the meal, Aruru ordered us out.
Why? What for? She continued speaking firmly.
“I’m going to meet Ilulu’s partner.”
“…”
A fierce battle of wills between the sister and her brother's new love.
The second child, caught awkwardly between his sister and his girlfriend.
I really wanted to witness that scene, but it was not to be.
“It’s something I have to do. Understand?”
She intended to fulfill her role as the head of the family.
It was disappointing in many ways, but I could fully understand.
Well, if the owner of the house tells you to leave, you leave.
Even as she kicked us out, Aruru was considerate.
“Play with these two. You can take them for a walk.”
She handed the youngest ones over to Ceria and the Princess.
The rest seemed to be participating in the family meeting.
Ah, I’m the only one empty-handed…
My complaint was quickly quelled.
As we went outside, we drew the attention of the neighbors.
They seemed interested in the human visitors to the village, their fox ears twitching constantly.
Right. I don’t necessarily have to dote on Aruru’s siblings.
They’re all equally cute in my eyes. I could pick any of them.
A few fox beastkin started following us.
They seemed hesitant, but that problem was soon solved.
“Oppa! Do you have a moment?”
“There’s so much we want to ask!”
Girls in the prime of their youth.
Aruru’s friends approached, wagging their tails.
I knew the feeling.
Aside from any interest they might have in me…
Their eyes sparkled like a country girl thirsty for news from the city.
I should stir things up a bit in these girls’ hearts.
If they wanted to experience city life, I could help.
Fox beastkin maids… I can’t resist.
Of course, it would be impossible right now; it would have to be in about three years.
That’s the time it would take to spend another year at the academy and defeat the Demon King.
“Oppa, you’re a noble, right?”
“I had a feeling you were!”
Hmm, do they even know what a noble is?
Beastkin don’t have such concepts. At most, they have a chieftain or a village elder.
They must have heard it somewhere.
I discreetly checked. As expected, it was just as I thought.
“A person of high status? Someone who can spend money freely?”
“If you have a magnificent mansion, you’re a noble, right?”
Not entirely wrong, but…
Their understanding seemed a bit one-sided.
“Yes, I am a noble. And the heir to a prominent family.”
“Ah, I knew my feeling was right!”
“Then your house must be huge, right?”
I don’t know either. I haven’t been there yet.
I briefly recalled Jace’s memories.
A scale that brought a castle to mind…
My house was bigger than the academy, where thousands of people lived.
“Can we come visit?”
“Me too! This might sound strange, but it’s kind of a dream of mine.”
To a beastkin, it would feel like a giant’s castle.
It made sense that they’d be interested. I readily nodded.
“Friends of Aruru are always welcome.”
“Wow! Thank you so much!”
“He’s handsome and has such a cool personality!”
The two girls beamed.
They each took one of my arms and nuzzled their faces against me.
This is why I like fox beastkin. They’re overflowing with charm.
My little cuties.
You may have come in as you pleased, but leaving won’t be so easy. You know that, right?
By any means necessary…
I would induce them to sign a contract as exclusive maids for the Crodain family.
“When the time comes, I’ll invite you.”
It was complicated for various reasons at the moment.
When I explained the situation, they seemed satisfied with just the hope it gave them, their smiles never fading.
“Okay. We’ll be waiting!”
“As thanks, should we tell you how Aruru grew up?”
They were quite chatty.
But their cute voices were a pleasure to listen to.
As we talked…
A large group of fox beastkin had gathered around us.
“What exactly is the academy like?”
“We want to hear about Aruru’s exploits!”
The academy episodes.
Especially whenever I mentioned Aruru, they would all wag their tails in unison.
Mmm, this is paradise…
Ceria and the Princess were already buried in a pile of cuties.
They looked like they were experiencing all the happiness life had to offer, completely lost in the moment.
Should I build a vacation home here?
I’ll come by to heal every now and then.
The thought brought a heartwarming smile to my face.
* * *
Where there are meetings, there are also partings.
It was time to wake up from the dream.
After staying in Aruru’s hometown for four days, we boarded the carriage.
Countless fox beastkin came to see us off.
It was a short time, but it seemed we had all grown attached.
“Come again!”
“Oppa, you’re always welcome!”
My ardent followers.
The two girls waved energetically.
Even that small connection felt precious.
Aruru said her goodbyes to her siblings.
She hugged them one by one, from the second oldest down, stroking their heads.
“Stay healthy. That’s all I ask of you.”
She managed to hold it together until the fourth sibling.
But our cute little ones finally burst into tears.
With the magnanimity of a big sister, Aruru pulled the fifth and sixth into a simultaneous hug.
“Even if we’re apart, our hearts are one. That’s what family is. Okay?”
Ah, this is so awkward!
She acts so maturely now, but she’ll be all cutesy in front of me later, won’t she?
Anyway.
For now, she was a more wonderful mother than anyone.
The crying soon subsided.
The youngest ones buried their faces in their big sister’s embrace one last time.
“Well, I’ll be going now. I wish you all happiness!”
The carriage began to move slowly.
Its pace was very deliberate.
As if wishing to delay the siblings’ farewell, even for a moment.
Ceria gently took my hand.
She had a worried expression.
“What should we do?”
“Don’t tell me you’re already feeling the aftereffects…”
“Yes. I think I’m going to be as sad as I was happy.”
Her worries were unfounded.
This wasn’t the end of the event.
A heart-pounding hot spring trip.
It was scheduled to be healing in a slightly different sense.